New method to deliver beneficial microbes for premature infants
Official title: Platform technology for delivery of stabilized therapeutic microbes in powders with high water activity
Funded at Vitakey, INC. · NIH-11069184 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is working on a new way to safely deliver helpful bacteria in powder form to preterm babies at risk for a serious gut condition called necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), aiming to make sure they get the right amount of these probiotics to support their health.
Quick facts
| Grant type | Sbir 1 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Vitakey, INC. NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Washington, United States) |
| Project start | June 1, 2025 |
| Project end | May 31, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $349,759 |
| NIH project number | 1R43HD117653-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-11069184 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are preterm infants, particularly those at high risk for developing necrotizing enterocolitis.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who are not preterm infants or those who do not have a risk of NEC may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing a novel platform technology to deliver stabilized therapeutic microbes in powdered form, specifically targeting preterm infants at risk for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). The approach aims to address the challenges of inconsistent dosing and microbial viability that have hindered the effectiveness of current probiotic treatments. By ensuring accurate and reproducible doses, the research seeks to improve the gut microbiome of preterm infants, potentially reducing the incidence of NEC. The study will utilize advanced encapsulation techniques to protect these microbes during delivery.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the occurrence of NEC in preterm infants, improving their health outcomes and survival rates.
How similar studies have gone: Previous clinical trials have shown promising results with microbial treatments for NEC, indicating that this approach has potential based on earlier successes.
Where this research is happening
-
Vitakey, INC.
Washington, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Anselmo, Aaron C — Vitakey, INC.
- Study coordinator: Anselmo, Aaron C
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.